INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The infant mortality rate in Indiana in 2025 remained at a record low, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Health. There were six-point-three deaths per one-thousand live births in the Hoosier state.
There were 500 infant deaths in Indiana as of April 2025, down nine from 2024 and is the lowest rate since Indiana started keeping records of those in 1900. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before they turn one year old, and the Department of Health says the health of the mother often contributes.
The Indiana Department of Health put out the following:
Provisional data from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) show the 2025 infant mortality rate (IMR) in Indiana is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (500 deaths as of April 2026), essentially unchanged from rate of 6.3 in 2024 (509 deaths) when the state saw the lowest rate of infant deaths since record-keeping began in 1900.
Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday and is measured by the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Factors that contribute to infant mortality are often tied to the health of the mother. Delayed prenatal care and conditions such as obesity, substance use, maternal stress and smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of poor health outcomes.
“The loss of every baby is a tragedy,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP. “We always want to see that number go down, but we are encouraged to see Indiana has maintained its current historic low infant mortality rate and the lives of nine more babies were saved. We will use this data to better understand the causes of these deaths and support efforts to further move the needle at the local level.”
IDOH is releasing a provisional 2025 IMR rate to increase transparency and efficiency by providing organizations and communities with timely data to inform healthcare decisions. The rate is preliminary and subject to change.
”Promoting maternal and infant health outcomes is a top priority of the Indiana Department of Health,” said Dr. Weaver. “We are committed to ensuring this critical work continues.”
IDOH has multiple initiatives focused on improving infant mortality including:
Reviewing data to ensure that moms and babies have the opportunity to receive care at the best facility to meet their risk factors prior to delivery
Checking hospital discharge data to identify specific opportunities for improvement in maternal and neonatal care practices
Working with a number of community-based programs through Health First Indiana
Supporting services, including home visiting, breastfeeding programs, and infant safe sleep education
Conducting comprehensive reviews of fetal and infant deaths to identify opportunities for interventions
Partnering with birthing facilities to be prepared for potentially challenging health outcomes (through Levels of Care)
Find more information about programs and resources available to families on the IDOH website.
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